Before and after - Is it the shot or the tools?

03/15/2007 07:14:17 AM · #1

I took this with my fujifilm. I took it in RAW and used lighroom to play around with the tones etc. I'm a beginner so I'm still getting used to making my images go from 'blah' to BOOM!! Can anyone give me some advice on what to try or avoid with the actually taking of the picture, to the tools used and applied to the picture?

Before

After

Message edited by author 2007-03-15 07:15:04.

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/15/2007 07:51:39 AM · #2

Hi Jason,
I'm also still a beginner, so this is just my opinion. Your editing looks fine to me, as far as the shot is concerned, I would have tried to be eye level with the model and would have cropped the image to remove as much of her surroundings as possible. The focus is on the model, so get in closer.

Jan.

03/15/2007 07:53:59 AM · #3

I wanted some of the building in there too, and I wanted to get it from a higher point. I did this on purpose. I was at Universal Studios in Japan in the an area that is made too look old. I have plenty more shots, just none up close...I'm trying to get a model with background.

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/15/2007 07:59:53 AM · #4

I'm sure someone else will tell yo this as well, what you have on the building in the photo is not very interesting. There is nothing that draws attention, or make the building interesting. I get what you wanted to do, but I think a shot from down low with more of the building would have been better if you wanted part of the building in.

03/15/2007 08:06:29 AM · #5

Yeah, I know what you mean. There was an issue of space though. I wouldn't have been able to capture much without putting some serious distance between myself and my wife.

jan_vdw

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

03/15/2007 08:10:13 AM · #6

heh, distance in a marriage is never a good thing! Maybe consider a wide angle lens? I know you get one for the Fuji that screws on the front. Might make a big difference.

03/15/2007 12:56:01 PM · #7

Another attempt...

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

03/15/2007 01:00:37 PM · #8

Originally posted by heavyj:

Another attempt...

I like your first attempt better. This is too dark IMO. Have you tried doing some vignetting?

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

03/15/2007 01:34:58 PM · #9

I don't know what vignetting is, so no. I'll do a search and see what I can find. If you are will to give a short explanation, I'll be up in a few hours to check...it's bedtime in Japan.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

03/15/2007 01:39:13 PM · #10

Originally posted by heavyj:

I don't know what vignetting is, so no. I'll do a search and see what I can find. If you are will to give a short explanation, I'll be up in a few hours to check...it's bedtime in Japan.

Darkening of the edges to nudge the viewer towards the center, or item of interest.

- by

mpeters

mobster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/15/2007 01:42:51 PM · #11

I like the second edit better. vignetting is basiclly just darkening of the corners/edges.
here is an exanple:

the above example is a little extreme but it lets you see what vignetting looks like.

Edit: I need to learn how to type faster

Message edited by author 2007-03-15 13:43:44.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

03/15/2007 01:46:58 PM · #12

Here's a completely different take on it. Rotate and skew used to square up the horizontals. Shadow/highlight used, glow applied, high pass on top of the glow, vignetting added:

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/15/2007 01:54:16 PM · #13

This photography stuff is keeping me up all night lol...here is my last attempt using the vignetting I just learned.

JamesKW

Canon EOS-5D

03/15/2007 02:00:22 PM · #14

Here is another editing attempt for you.